October to Feature Three Political Forums

Voters throughout the county will have at least three opportunities to see face-to-face, and learn more about, the local candidates on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The first of three upcoming political forums will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7 on St. George Island, where the St. George Island Civic Club will present its "Meet the Candidates" Forum.

The event, in the Pine Street Fire Station Community Room, begins at 6 p.m. with a social "Meet and Greet" during which time club members will prepare and submit questions to the panel.

The two county commission candidates for District 1, Democratic incumbent Russell Crofton and Republican challenger Pinki Jackel, will face questioning beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation by the two District 1 candidates in the non-partisan school board race, George Thompson and Tom Loughridge, at 6:50 p.m.

The three candidates for Superintendent of Schools, Republican Denise Butler, Democrat Nina Marks, and Will Kendrick, who is running without party affiliation, will come forward to take questions at 7:10 p.m.

A break for refreshments will be held from 7:30 to 7:45 p.m.

The two candidates for Florida House of Representative District 10, Democrat Leonard Bembry and Republican Don Curtis, will square off at 7:45 p.m.

At 8:05 p.m., the two candidates for Property Appraiser, Republican challenger Richard Harper and Democratic incumbent Doris Pendleton, will square off.

At 8:25 p.m., the two candidates for Sherriff, Democrat Skip Shiver and Republican Bruce Barnes, will face questions.

Soft drinks and water will be provided. All questions will be submitted in advance and screened. Introductions are limited to three minutes and individual question responses limited to two minutes. The general public may submit questions in advance to sgiforum@google.com or submit them in writing at the forum.

Carrabelle to Host Second Forum Oct. 16

            A second political educational forum for voters of eastern Franklin County will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and is planned for the new Carrabelle City Complex, housed in the former Carrabelle school building, at 1001 Gray Avenue. Doors to the event will be open to the public at 5:45 p.m.

            The 13 victorious candidates from the Aug. 26 primary will continue their "job interviews" in hopes of being selected for the five contested county offices plus the Florida House of Representatives' District 10 seat.

            All the candidates running for countywide office have been invited to take part, as well as both candidates for the Florida House of Representatives District 10 seat.

            Because Carrabelle is in District 5, County Commission candidates invited to join in the "job interviews" are Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger Dawn Radford.

            School Board candidate hopefuls for the non-partisan District 5 seat are Katie McKnight and  Carlton "Carl" Whaley.

            Candidates for each office will be asked to alternately draw three questions, with each answer limited to two minutes.   Following a break for light refreshments, written questions from the audience will be collected and sorted for content.  After the intermission, the program will resume with each candidate being asked several questions to be submitted by audience members. The two-minute answer rule will again apply.

            At the program's end, each candidate will then have two minutes in order to make a final summation of their interest in being  "hired" for the job they seek.

            The program, second of two coordinated by the Eastern Franklin County Political Candidates' Forum Committee, is scheduled to adjourn at approximately 9:30 p.m.

            Sponsors of the two forums include the Franklin Chronicle, Oyster Radio, Alligator Point Tax Payers' Association, The Concerned Citizens of Franklin County, the Lanark Village Association, Wal-Mart and numerous others who have contributed funds, time, talent and support to assure the success of this  important voter educational programs.

Apalachicola to Host Forum Oct. 23

            Apalachicola will play host to a third forum on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Franklin Square Recreation Center, on 6th Street.

            This forum is hosted by the H'COLA organization and feature appearances by all candidates for countywide office. No county commission or school board races will be included, since no candidates from either District 3 or 4 will be on the November ballot.

            Also, there will be no state representative races included, since Apalachicola is now located in District 6, which is represented by Republican Jimmy Patronis, who faces no opposition this year.

            For more information on the H'COLA forum, please call Tami at 653-7515.